Fisheries Development Oman (FDO) has announced the start of construction work on a new seafood canning and processing plant at Duqm Special Economic Zone in Al Wusta Governorate.
The facility, involving an investment of RO 24 million, is targeted for launch in Q1 2024 in line with the Company's fisheries development strategy.
According to Eng Ali Nasser al Rasbi (pictured), General Manager – International Sea Food Company – the manufacturing arm of FDO - the project will create investment opportunities that will ensure the ready availability of fisheries products and the localization of the fish product value chain, thereby contributing to the GDP.
The tuna canning project has been designed according to the latest specifications and quality and food safety standards. Phase 1 capacity will be 100 million cans per year, he stated.
"The project comes as a complement to the efforts already expended and a part of the output of Tanfeedh Program which is aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and will promote the Sultanate's vision of economic diversification by maximizing the return on the fisheries in which the Sultanate abounds and increasing the fish product value chain before export to the global markets,” said Al Rasbi.
“The plant will promote GDP growth through the local supply chains of which several Omani SMEs will be part of, thereby enhancing investment opportunities and creating specialized job opportunities," he added.
International Sea Food Company is a subsidiary of Fisheries Development Oman and will be the industrial manufacturing arm of the group. FDO also has dedicated arms focused on commercial fishing, and fish and shrimp farming.
In September 2021, the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) signed a land usufruct agreement with the International Sea Food Company for the construction of a tuna, sardine and seafood canning plant covering an area of 85000 m2.
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